Hey guys, I was thinking about getting some lowering springs for my evo. I am mainly considering Tein S, H&R, and Eibach. I would appreciate input from anyone who is running any of these springs or other springs on their evo with the stock struts/shocks. From reading some of the older posts on the subject, the Tein S seems to have the best spring rate and price. But someone posted that the Tein S setup will drop the front by about 2", which seems pretty low. I really don't want a curb scrapper. I like the 1.2-1.3" drop on the H&R and Eibach springs, but don't know which is better. So, I am looking for experience or general knowledge on the ride quality, durability, best prices, front/rear drop, spring rates, and possible vendors for any available lowering springs for the evo.

Thanks

 

I think i am going to settle for the S techs, but I hav heard some really good things about the Tanabe's.

 

i can speak for the Eibachs...

they gave the car a much better stance as far as looks, but the front did not come down to the point i wanted it to... another .5" would have been ideal for me...

Handling is awesome, no compimises from stock...

Ride...? hahahaha... it's not smooth, that's all i'm gonna say...

 

I posted on this subject about a week ago, not to many response on the it though. Here was my info there:

Below is a list of springs I found at http://www.optauto.com/webstore/pro...=1531&last=1531

I think Im going to get the TEIN S.TECH SPRING KIT, the pictures of some of the people on the list they look good. Just curious about quality of the spring, I've always got Eibachs before but not sure if 1'' will give me the look I want, that fender gap has got to go.

I know some people say well its a rally car and its supposed to be high, but im not taking my $30K+ car off road (although it would be a blast ) So just wanted a few more opinions on this. Thanks...........

EIBACH PRO KIT: LANCER EVO 8 03-UP
Item#: EIB-6041 $247.00
Eibach (Pro Kit) Lowering Springs 1.0" Drop (FR) & 1.0" Drop (RR) For Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 8 03-UP

RS-R DOWN SPRINGS: LANVER EVO 03-ON
Item#: RSR-30-B100 $263.00
RS-R Down Springs - 1.4 Inch Drop (FR) & (RR) for Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 03 & Up

TANABE GF210 SPRINGS: LANCER EVO 03-UP
Item#: TNB-TGF072 $174.00
Tanabe GF210 (Grip Feeling) Spring Kit 1.5 Inch Drop (FR) & 1.0 Inch Drop (RR) for Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 03-UP

TEIN HIGH.TECH SPRING KIT: LANCER EVO 03-UP
Item#: TEIN-SKR84-BUB00 $165.00
TEIN High.Tech Spring Kit for Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 03-UP -1.4 Inch Drop (FR) & -.3 Inch Drop (RR)

TEIN S.TECH SPRING KIT: LANCER EVO 8 03-ON
Item#: TEIN-SKR84-AUB00 $150.00
TEIN S.Tech Spring Kit for Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 8 03-ON - 2 Inch Drop (FR) & .9 Inch Drop (RR)


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I got Eibach on my Evo and like it a lot. Handling is better than stock but ride about the same as stock (still stiff).
I compared to some Evos with other lower springs brand (Tannabe, Tein coilover, H&R) when I was at the SoCal Evo meeting and they're lowerer than mine. But I personally don't like it too low since I want to operate my normally, ie. don't have to go to almost complete stop over bums, don't have to park way back so the front spoiler doesn't hit the curb... But it looks much better compare to stock (my own opinion).

 

Thanks for the reply's. I have been searching for more past posts. I saw one that stated the Eibach's still leave a fairly obvious gap in the front and the front still locks higher than the back. Also, that the Tein S is softer than stock, while Tanabe's and Eibach's are stiffer or about the same as stock. I didn't see too many posts from anyone who has H&Rs on. Any feedback from owners would be appreciated.

I am looking to keep about the same stiffness as stock while lowering the car about an 1.5" in the front. The Tanabe's seem to be the springs that fit the bill. But I really don't know anything about Tanabe's quality or warranty. I would personaly feel better going with a company that has a good reputation in the US like Eibach or H&R. But at the same time, Japanese manufacturers like Tanabe or Tein would have more experience with a car like the EVO. But I think my original first choice, the Tein S, is out because of the softness and the really low front. I saw some pictures of both the Tein S, Eibach and Tanabe. The Tein S looked the best, but seems too low for everyday driving. The Tanabe's made the front look lower than the back like the Tein S, but just didn't seem as much too be as bad a driveway scraper. Plus if the Tanabe's are stiffer, they have my vote.

 

I've got Tein S on my Evo for 3 weeks now and they perform way better than stock. A little softer ride though but the stiffness still there when you make a turn. Unlike Tanabe and Eibach, Tein S really put away the big gap leaving 2 fingers in front and rear. Got mine for $170 shipped.

 

do you guys know any of the spring rates on any of these kits? how about the stock spring rates?

 

Tanabe is one of the few to wind their own springs........quality is outstanding

 

Don't forget kg/mm; very JDM and very well-made. Only springs I'll ever use.

 

The Eibach springs only lower the vehicle 1" front and rear. If you dont want a curb scraper they are the way to go. We have them on special until the end of November for $219.95!!

 

How about Tein High tech?

 

Nothing better then screwing up a awesome suspension with some crappy $200.00 springs.

 

Only simple linear springs have a spring rate. Eibach Pro-Kit has a load/deflection characteristic. The spring "rate" is progressive and based on the load/compression so any one rate could not be calculated. Thats basically what Eibach has to say. We have them on our project EVO and love them. Their is a deffinate handling improvement which is reflected in our autocross times. The ride is firmer yet not intolerable.

 

See now this sounds like it comes from reality...not just

"Nothing better then screwing up a awesome suspension with some crappy $200.00 springs."

With nothing but opinion to back it up. Yes there are things to watch for when changing springs and matching them to the stock shocks (if possible).

Are you sure you didnt get better autocross times because you're getting to be a better driver?

I've always changed my springs...but only after finding out IF the stock struts are up to the task. BMWs have no problems improving handling by using some "crappy $200 springs."

Try this with a WRX and you're in for a world of hurt as the stock struts are so soft from the factory they cannot dampen aftermarket springs. From what I've learned shocks and struts are only there to control the spring...not offer improved handling...that's the spring. The shock is there to keep the wheel from bouncing all over the place.